A Georgia woman was kidnapped, burned and cut by an assailant as she was attempting to leave work, according to her family.
The victim’s family told DeKalb County Police the woman, who is in her 60s, was leaving work at an accounting firm along Montreal Road in Tucker on Wednesday when she was attacked, WXIA reported. The exact time the incident began is unclear, but the firm closes at around 5:30 p.m. and the victim’s family believes it happened shortly after closing.
The family said a man approached the woman and demanded she let him inside the business. But she refused and the man forced her into her vehicle, made her drive to an ATM and told her to withdraw money.
During this incident, the man cut the woman across her body, including her face, and at some point he burned her face, the family said.
The man then forced the woman to drive back to her job, where she managed to escape.
The woman was able to drive a few hundred yards down Montreal Road to DeKalb County Fire Station 22, where Fire Captain Shaneqwa Eafford told reporters only one crew member was awake, according to WXIA. The woman made enough noise in the parking lot to catch the attention of the crew member, who woke up Eafford and the other firefighters.
The fire station contacted the police, who were dispatched to the area at around 9 p.m. for the reported kidnapping and assault.
Eafford said the entire crew was at the station, including their ambulance, when the woman showed up.
“We had a DeKalb Fire Rescue transport unit in the house that was able to take her immediately; no wait at all,” Eafford said.
“It was a blessing for her to be able to come to us and for us to be here as well,” she added.
Police said detectives have been working to find evidence to help identify and locate the suspect.
The victim’s family said she remains in the hospital, having undergone at least one surgery since the attack.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis spoke about race in a speech on Friday, seemingly in response to part of Judge Scott McAfee’s recent order that said she could remain on Donald Trump’s Georgia election interference case.
Last year, Willis charged the former president and 18 others for efforts to allegedly overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia, which Trump claimed was stolen from him despite a lack of evidence. Her investigation focused on Trump’s phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which he allegedly asked him to find enough votes to tilt the election in his favor against Joe Biden, and the alleged plot to submit a false slate of pro-Trump electors to the Electoral College. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining his innocence.
However, the case was halted after attorneys representing one of Trump’s co-defendants raised concerns about the relationship between Willis and the lead prosecutor on the case, Nathan Wade. Willis then found herself at the center of a potential ethics violations related to the alleged affair.
Willis previously rejected the accusations and said during a speech in January at an Atlanta church that her critics were “playing the race card” given that they had singled out Wade, who is Black.
As part of his March 15 ruling, McAfee focused on Willis’ January speech and noted that “the District Attorney described the effort [to disqualify her] as motivated by ‘playing the race card.'”
On Friday, Willis appeared at the South Fulton Women of the Shield Awards where she said during a speech, “It’s hard out here always having to prove yourself two and three times. Recently, they tell me, they don’t like me to talk about race. Well, I’m going to talk about it anyway. Truth is, there’s some challenges that come with being Black. And I see so much greatness in this city that has so many great African American leaders. And I appreciate all of the sacrifice that you all have had to make to be in these positions.”
McAfee ruled that Willis could stay on the case against Trump if she removed Wade, who ultimately resigned from his position.
In his order, McAfee took issue with Willis’ comments that she and Wade were being scrutinized because of their race. Willis later said she was referring to the defendants, however McAfee said making a distinction was unclear due to Willis’ reference to “so many others” and “they” in her January speech.
“In these public and televised comments, the District Attorney complained that a Fulton County Commissioner ‘and so many others’ questioned her decision to hire SADA Wade. When referring to her detractors throughout the speech, she frequently utilized the plural ‘they.’ The State argues the speech was not aimed at any of the Defendants in this case. Maybe so. But maybe not. Therein lies the danger of public comment by a prosecuting attorney,” McAfee wrote in his ruling.
John Clifford Floyd III, Willis’ father, testified in February that Willis was forced to move from her South Fulton home after being harassed and receiving death threats.
“The South Fulton police brought a man with a dog, because there were so many death threats,” he said. “They said they were going to blow up the house, they said they were going to kill her, kill me, kill her grandchildren.”
Once Willis moved, she kept the location of her new home secret from her father due to the threats, he testified.
On Friday, Willis also thanked officers for keeping her and her family safe.
“I have put extra strain on this police department because you’ve had to take extra steps to make sure we are safe,” she said. “Over the last three years now, I love this police department like no other. I’ve put a lot of burden on this police department and some of the women that are here today. Y’all have gone out of your way to make sure that me and my girls were safe and that has been very appreciated.”
In a new court filing on Friday, Trump’s attorneys appealed McAfee’s decision for Willis to remain on the case, arguing that “the trial court erred as a matter of law by not requiring dismissal and DA Willis’ disqualification.”
For an appeal to move forward, the Georgia Court of Appeals will have to agree to take up the case. Willis’ office also has 10 days to respond to the application, which they may oppose.
No trial date has been set in the Georgia criminal case, one of four that the former president is facing as he heads towards a likely November rematch with Biden in this year’s upcoming presidential election.
The NYPD’s Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) sent a damning letter calling out far-left Democratic leaders in New York City for their anti-police and soft-on-crime policies and telling them to stay away from the funeral of slain Officer Jonathan Diller.
The 31-year-old father died Monday after a violent ex-con with 21 prior arrests allegedly shot him in the stomach when police approached the car where the suspect was sitting in the passenger seat.
“I’m sure that many elected officials will attend PO Diller’s funeral, shed a few crocodile tears, and prominently seat themselves for a good photo opportunity,” SBA President Vincent Vallelong wrote in a letter to union members. “The sad reality is we don’t want them there.”
Law enforcement sources told Fox News Digital that a number of NYPD officers who were planning to attend Diller’s memorial services have been called into work for President Biden’s security detail for a fundraiser at Radio City Music Hall with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Former President Trump, on the other hand, did attend Diller’s wake Thursday afternoon, calling for an end to soft-on-crime policies afterward.
“The Diller family will never be the same – you can never be the same,” Trump said outside the funeral home. “And we have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order.”
Vallelong said he found it infuriating to see city politicians who have supported movements to “defund” police and let criminals out of jail posting politically motivated condolences on social media.
“Their presence is more than a distraction,” Vallelong continued. “It is a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the scores of dedicated and committed public servants who will carry on his mission despite their constant criticism, cynicism, negativity, and frivolous accusations.”
In an interview with the New York Post, the union leader took it a step further and called out City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams by name.
“They detest cops and have no appreciation for what they do,” he told the paper. “They should stay home and not pretend they are grieving.”
When Williams wrote on X about Diller’s death earlier this week, many of the replies contained harsh criticism.
“I like how this post doesn’t address the need to get criminals off our streets,” one user
Williams, a former City Council member who was elected the city’s public advocate in 2019, has previously described himself as a democratic socialist and in 2020 argued that $1 billion in NYPD budget cuts wouldn’t go far enough to “defund” the police.
Adams in January helped override a veto from Mayor Eric Adams, no relation, for a bill that requires police officers to perform increased paperwork after encounters with the public.
“Despite their admonitions to the contrary, the ‘leadership’ in the Council has failed city residents, workers, and visitors at every turn,” Vallelong wrote. “They are blinded by their own hatred and twisted ideology.”
Without naming names, Vallelong’s letter also accused “many prosecutors” of being also to blame for “this utter destruction of civilized society in New York.”
“They would rather see the city burn and countless lives lost rather than correct their legislative mistakes and at least give the city a chance at survival or a resurgence,” he wrote.
Guy Rivera, a 34-year-old man with 21 prior arrests, nine of them for felonies, allegedly shot and killed Diller during a stop in Far Rockaway on Monday evening.
Other officers returned fire and Rivera was still in police custody at the hospital Thursday morning, according to Queens prosecutors.
A friend in the same vehicle, Lindy Jones, 41, was convicted of attempted murder in 2002, served time in prison and was somehow out on the streets despite a pending felony firearms case from last year, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
He racked up more weapons charges when police allegedly found a handgun with the serial number filed off in his glove box.
“The Council members who are vehemently and inexplicably against public safety are responsible for the carnage in the streets and the heartbreak brought about by PO Diller’s completely avoidable death,” Vallelong wrote.
“Those in the Council who have declared war on the police should be the ones put under a microscope and investigated by an outside agency for every legislative mistake and misstep they make.”
It comes weeks after the state’s Democrat Attorney General Letitia James faced jeers and boos when she appeared at a promotion ceremony for members of the FDNY.
The interruption came shortly after James successfully sued former President Trump in an effort to crack down on his New York businesses. Firefighters chanted, “Trump! Trump! Trump!”
Diller will be laid to rest Saturday in Massapequa. His wake services begin Thursday afternoon.
A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore, causing it to snap and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were searching for survivors.
Two people were rescued from the waters under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, one in serious condition, according to Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace. He said authorities “may be looking for upwards of seven people” but said that number could change. It was not clear if the two rescued were included in the seven.
It was not immediately clear what caused the cargo ship to crash into the bridge long before the busy morning commute in what one official called a “developing mass casualty event” in a major American city just outside of Washington.
The ship crashed into one of the bridge’s supports, causing the structure to snap and buckle at several points and tumble into the water in a matter of seconds — a shocking spectacle that was captured on video and posted on social media. The vessel caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.
“Never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of an action movie,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, calling it “an unthinkable tragedy.”
Sonar has indicated that there are vehicles in the water, where the temperature was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Earlier, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press that several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck. The bridge came down in the middle of night when traffic would be lighter than during the day when thousands of cars traverse the span.
Cartwright called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event,” though he didn’t know at the time how many people were affected.
He added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for shipping on the East Coast. Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed. The FBI was also on the scene.
Synergy Marine Group — which owns and manages the ship called the Dali — confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. while two pilots were in control. It said all crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.
The Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and flying under a Singapore flag, according to data from Marine Traffic. The container ship is about 985 feet (300 meters) long and about 157 feet (48 meters) wide, according to the website.
In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.
A container ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a “catastrophic collapse,” sending vehicles and people into the water, officials in Maryland said.
“At this time, itis an active search and rescue mission,” said Maryland Secretary of Transportation, Paul Wiedefeld. “We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse, working on the bridge.
At a press conference early the morning officials said two people were rescued, with one of those people said to be is in very serious condition. The other person did not need medical treatment.
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting search and rescue for those who remain unaccounted for as a result of the bridge collapse.
What to know about the collapse
“I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” the Baltimore Police Department said in a statement. Officials have since said the bridge has “fully collapsed.
The Maryland Transportation Authority said the collapse occurred “due to ship strike.”
The 948-foot container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, struck the bridge at about 1:30 a.m., according to a ship-tracking company.
“All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries,” Synergy Marine Group said in a statement.
The company said the 22 crew members, including the pilots, were based in India.
The cause of the crash is “yet to be determined,” the statement said.
The vessel appears to have hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to break apart in several places and plunge into the water, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Multiple vehicles plunged from the bridge at the time of the collapse, the Baltimore City Fire Department said. Divers were searching for at least seven people in the water, the department said.
Response boat crews from Coast Guard Stations Curtis Bay and Annapolis have crews deployed to the incident for active search and rescue, according to USCG. A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and Coast Guard investigators and pollution responders are also en route to the incident.
“An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast is issued regarding the incident and there has been a 2000-yard safety zone issued for the surrounding waters. Mariners are urged to avoid the area,” USCG said.
The bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, opened in 1977 and crosses the Patapsco River in Baltimore’s harbor. It is a vital artery, that along with the Port of Baltimore, is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.
It is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.
Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Cartwright said, though he said it’s too early to know how many people were affected. He called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”
He added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge.
He said agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. reporting that a ship leaving Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck.
The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge,” MDTA officials said in a statement at about 2 a.m. “Traffic is being detoured.”
Governor declares state of emergency
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse.
“We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore said in a statement.
Detours and logistics
Drivers are being told to avoid I-695 southeast corridor and use I-95 and I-895 as alternatives.
“I-695 is being detoured southbound at exit 43 (Peninsula Expressway) and northbound at Exit 2 (Route 10),” Wiedefeld said.
Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice, however, officials said the port is still open for truck transactions.
White House ‘closely monitoring’ bridge collapse
The White House said early Tuesday it was “closely monitoring” the situation in Baltimore, where a cargo ship struck a major bridge.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those who remain missing as a result of this horrific incident,” a White House official said.
There was no indication of “any nefarious intent,” an official said.
Senior White House officials have been in touch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor to offer any federal assistance they need, the administration said.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also said he has spoken to Maryland’s governor and Baltimore’s mayor, offering USDOT support.
FBI Baltimore personnel are also at the scene to assist.
“We are aware of the incident in Baltimore. The priority is ensuring the safety of those affected as a search and rescue operation is underway. We expect an investigation report will be submitted to IMO in due course,” the International Maritime Organization said in a statement.
In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.
Florida‘s vast coastline and abundant waterways offer some of the best fishing opportunities in the United States. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice looking to cast your line into the deep blue, having the right boat is essential for a successful and enjoyable fishing trip. With numerous options available, finding the perfect fishing boat can seem like a daunting task. However, with careful consideration and research, you can navigate through the choices and find the vessel that suits your needs. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to find your ideal fishing boat in the Sunshine State.
1. Determine Your Fishing Needs:
Before setting out to find your boat, it’s crucial to assess your fishing requirements. Consider factors such as the type of fishing you’ll be doing (deep-sea, inshore, freshwater), the number of passengers you’ll typically have onboard, the storage space needed for equipment, and the amenities you desire (such as a livewell or a fish-finder). Understanding your needs will narrow down your options and help you make informed decisions.
2. Research Boat Types:
Florida‘s diverse fishing environments call for different types of boats. Some popular choices include center consoles, bay boats, flats boats, and offshore sportfishing vessels. Each type has its advantages and is designed for specific fishing conditions. Research the features and capabilities of each boat type to determine which best matches your fishing style and preferences.
3. Set a Budget:
Boats come in various price ranges, from affordable entry-level models to luxurious high-end vessels. Set a budget based on your financial situation and consider additional costs such as maintenance, insurance, and docking fees. Remember to factor in any accessories or upgrades you may want to add to your boat. Setting a budget will help you focus your search and avoid overspending.
4. Consider New vs. Used:
Decide whether you prefer to buy a new or used boat. While new boats offer the latest features and warranties, used boats can be more budget-friendly and may come with extras such as electronics or fishing gear. Conduct thorough inspections and sea trials when considering a used boat to ensure it’s in good condition and meets your requirements.
5. Visit Boat Dealerships and Shows:
Visit boat dealerships and attend boat shows in Florida to explore a wide range of options in one place. Take your time touring different boats, asking questions, and comparing features. Dealers and exhibitors can provide valuable insights and guidance to help you make the right choice.
6. Seek Recommendations and Reviews:
Reach out to fellow anglers, fishing forums, and online communities for recommendations and reviews on different boat models and brands. Hearing about others’ experiences can offer valuable perspectives and help you make an informed decision.
7. Test Drive:
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, schedule test drives with boat dealers or private sellers. Spending time on the water in each boat will give you a firsthand experience of its performance, handling, and comfort. Pay attention to factors such as stability, maneuverability, and visibility to ensure the boat meets your expectations.
8. Consider Customization Options:
Many boat manufacturers offer customization options to tailor the vessel to your specific needs and preferences. Whether it’s adding additional rod holders, upgrading electronics, or customizing the seating arrangement, explore customization options to create your dream fishing boat.
9. Review Financing and Insurance Options:
If you require financing to purchase your boat, research different lenders and loan options to find the best terms and rates. Additionally, explore insurance options to protect your investment and provide coverage for accidents, theft, and liability.
10. Plan for Maintenance and Storage:
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your boat in top condition and ensure safe and enjoyable fishing trips. Consider where you’ll store your boat when not in use and factor in maintenance costs when budgeting for your purchase.
Finding the perfect fishing boat in Florida requires careful consideration of your fishing needs, budget, and preferences. By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you can navigate through the options and find the vessel that will take you on countless memorable fishing adventures along Florida’s beautiful coastline. So, gear up, set sail, and reel in the catch of a lifetime
A 12-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a stabbing in Texas that left a woman hospitalized in critical condition, officials said.
The boy, whose identity has not been made public because of his age, has been charged with aggravated assault, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said on social media.
The charge comes after a 59-year-old woman was found with a stab wound at a residence on April Valley Court in Harris County shortly after 2 p.m.
She was subsequently transported to a hospital by life flight in critical condition.
Two boys, 12 and 7, were suspected of being involved in Saturday’s stabbing. Authorities said the brothers both fled the scene, but they were located later in the day.
“I’m sorry to the family. I’m very sorry that my sons committed the incident. And I’m praying for your health, for your wellness,” the mother told KPRC-TV.
Gonzalez said the 12-year-old was charged in the stabbing but that the seven-year-old was not culpable by law.
“I am very remorseful because I wouldn’t want that to happen to nobody,” the mother said. “We just gotta keep our prayers up for both my family and their family.
Child Protective Services have been contacted, the sheriff said.
The sheriff’s office previously said they believe the boys returned to the home on April Valley Court following a verbal confrontation with the woman.
“From what I’ve gathered, it was just a verbal altercation,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Sergio Torres told KPRC-TV on Saturday. “The female appeared to have several stab wounds to her abdomen area.
A neighbor said the woman’s brother ultimately found her inside her home.
“Her brother came and checked by just to check on her; he checks on her daily. At that point, he just came at the right time, opened the door, and saw she was stabbed,” Torres said, ABC13 reported.
By day, Domonique Brown was a history teacher at Taylor Preparatory High School in the Detroit area, but in her off hours the educator worked as an aspiring rapper named Drippin Honey.
That is until she was let go from her job.
Brown told FOX 2 that a parent complained that she was a “bad influence” on her students because she’s a rapper, despite being voted teacher of the month in December.
She said she never received a complaint in writing and asked the administration, “Could we ask the parent to come in and see professionalism, see me in a classroom, see me after school, see me at all the games, see me dropping kids off every day, buying food, doing all these things? Can they come see me in my element before they try to say I’m unprofessional?
Brown said the parent remained anonymous and didn’t go into detail about what they found objectionable about her rapping.
“Music is part of the culture. We’re from Motown. This is what we do,” she added.
This week, after her firing, Brown posted a music video on her social media that she made with some of her students.
In the video, “Drippin 101,” Brown danced with her students and rapped about “Motown, baby, going crazy like the ‘80s.”
In a message alongside her video, Brown announced that she had been fired over her rapping, adding, “What troubles me most about this situation is the lack of consideration for the impact and influence I have had on my students’ lives.”
She continued, “My dedication, professionalism, and passion for education have always been unwavering, regardless of any personal pursuits I may have. It is worth noting that when I was hired as a teacher, my involvement in the music industry as a rapper did not hinder my candidacy. I was judged based on my qualifications, experience, and potential to positively impact the lives of my students. Yet, now, my commitment and contributions seem to be overshadowed by arbitrary judgments about my personal life.”
She said she has been teaching for seven years and has more than 200 signatures from students and parents who support her.
Taylor Preparatory High School didn’t immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The school told FOX 2 in part: “Student well-being remains at the forefront of everything we do, and we will continue fostering a distraction-free teaching and learning environment focused on student success.”
Brown said she plans to take legal action against the school.
Two people, including a child, were killed, and several more injured, when a school bus carrying more than three dozen pre-K students Friday afternoon was involved in a crash on a highway in Bastrop County, Texas, east of Austin, state officials said. The school bus was traveling west on Highway 21 at about 2 p.m. local time when a concrete truck “veered into the school bus’s lane and struck the school bus,” Sgt. Deon Cockrell with the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a news briefing the evening. A boy riding on the bus was killed in the crash, Cockrell said, along with a man who was in a third vehicle that was traveling behind the school bus. The names of the deceased victims were not immediately provided. The Hays Consolidated Independent School District confirmed in a statement that the school bus was carrying pre-K students from Tom Green Elementary School returning from a field trip to the Bastrop Zoo when the crash occurred. The bus was carrying 44 students and 11 adults at the time of the crash, the district said. A total of 53 patients were evaluated at the crash scene, Kevin Parker, division chief for Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, told reporters. In addition to the two people killed, four patients were airlifted to area hospitals with critical injuries, and six more were taken to hospitals by ground ambulance, Parker disclosed. The remainder had minor injuries and were either treated at the scene or transported to a hospital, Parker said. “We did an on-scene triage and continuous triage as we were getting units available to move those victims,” Parker said. Cockrell wouldn’t speculate on what exactly caused the crash or whether charges would be filed, only saying that it was under investigation. “I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the school bus accident in Bastrop County today,” Sen. John Cornyn of Texas wrote in a social media post. “Please join me in praying for these children, educators, and their families, especially those who have lost loved ones, during this difficult time.
Nashville, Tennessee, police said on Friday they found the body of Riley Strain, a University of Missouri senior who went missing on March 8 after going out downtown.
Authorities said Strain’s body was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville on the morning, about 8 miles from downtown. Police said on X that no foul play-related trauma was observed, and an autopsy is pending.
The 22-year-old finance student was visiting Nashville for his fraternity’s spring formal trip when he vanished. He had been out on Broadway drinking with friends at Luke Bryan’s downtown bar, called Luke’s 32, when staff asked him to leave.
Police say his phone pinged for the last time around Gay Street, part of which borders the Cumberland River.
Nashville police released a video of Strain greeting a police officer on Gay Street while the officer was checking parked vehicles for signs of a reported vehicle burglary just before the college student disappeared.
“Shown was Riley’s brief exchange of greetings w/ Officer Reginald Young on Gay St., south of the Woodland St. Bridge, on the night of 3/8. Riley did not appear distressed. Officer Young was there on a vehicle burglary call & remained on that portion of Gay St. for 45 min,” police said on X. “No video has been discovered that shows Riley away from Gay St after the 9:52 p.m. timeframe.”
Luke’s 32 said in a statement that bartenders served Strain one drink before staff asked him to leave.
“At 9:35 p.m., our security team made a decision based on our conduct standards to escort him from the venue through our Broadway exit at the front of our building,” the bar said in a March 15 statement. “He was followed down the stairs with one member of his party. The individual with Riley did not exit and returned upstairs.”
TC Restaurant Group indicated that they were working closely with authorities in the search for the missing college student.
After leaving the bar, Strain told his friends that he would head back to their accommodations at Tempo by Hilton, which is about five blocks away from Luke’s 32, as FOX 17 first reported.
When his friends did not see him again at their hotel later that evening, they filed a missing persons report, Strain’s cousin, Chelsea Strain, previously told Fox News Digital.
Strain’s family flew to Nashville and became involved in the search immediately after his friends reported him missing.
